The Petersfield MOT checklist: 8 things to fix before you book

Most MOT fails in Petersfield and the surrounding villages come from the same handful of issues. Spend ten minutes on these before your test and you'll almost always pass first time.

1. Number plate lights — walk behind the car after dark. Any bulb out is an instant fail. 2. Registration plate condition — cracked, faded or non-compliant fonts fail. 3. Tyre tread — the legal limit is 1.6mm across the middle three-quarters. Use a 20p; if the outer band shows, you're too low. 4. Washer fluid — an empty bottle is a fail. Top up before you arrive. 5. Wiper blades — any tear, split or smear counts. 6. Brake lights — press the pedal with a friend behind the car, or reverse up to a wall and watch the reflection. 7. Warning lights — an illuminated ABS, airbag, EPB or engine light will fail. Come to us for a diagnostic first. 8. Suspension — bounce each corner. If the car keeps oscillating, your dampers are gone.

We MOT Class 4 (cars) and Class 7 (vans up to 3,500kg) at our West Harting workshop, seven minutes from Petersfield. Book online and we'll send you the report photos digitally the same day.